DIWALI Millenniums back Ayodhya was decorated like a newlywed bride. It was Kartiki Amavasya – the night was dark. The moon didn’t visit the sky. The light of earthen lamps – big and small had turned the night into day. Beautiful gates decorated with golden and silver linings were waiting to welcome the benevolent king. During his 14 years exile Ram had united the Vanavasis (tribals) from Ayodhya to Rameshwaram to wash away the evil influences of Ravan who was ravaging the nation with his accomplices. Twenty days earlier on Vijayadashami (Dussehra) the king of Lanka was killed and the people throughout the country had celebrated the victory day. The period of exile being over Ram would be back in his ‘Vijay Ratham’. Not simply Ayodhya, the whole country rejoiced and welcomed him back to his kingdom. They celebrated the day with all the fanfare. Lamps were lit. Dances were arranged. There was display of fireworks. Crowds were uncontrollable for all, in their new costly clothes, wanted to have ‘darshana’ of their hero. Sweets were prepared in every house to be offered to the king and his companions. The victory was so great and the rejoicings were on such a large scale that the day became a golden leaf... read more

DIWALI India is a land of festivals. There is a festival or the other in regular intervals. A festival has a great role in our daily life. It brings new joy and hope to the people, when they are fed up with the dull daily routine life. Diwali is celebrated with enthusiasm on the New Moon Day in the month of Kartik. It is regarded as a festival of wealth and prosperity. Every year it brings a message of new hope, new enthusiasm and new ideas. People begin to prepare themselves for the festival very early. Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped on this day with great enthusiasm. Diwali is considered to be an auspicious day in every family and business. This festival is celebrated in almost every part of India. Houses and shops are thoroughly cleaned and white-washed. Crowds throng the streets and shops. Earthen lamps and sweets made of sugar are sold everywhere. New utensils are purchased days before the festival. On Diwali, millions of earthen lamps are lighted, so that the new moon night feels like a full moon night. At night, people worship God Ganesh and Goddess Lakshmi with great devotion. Some people wrongly believe that gambling is a part and parcel of this festival. They gamble... read more

DIWALI Diwali is one of the most important festivals of the Hindus. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm throughout India. With this festival are associated so many lores and legends. It marks the victory of Rama over Ravana. As a matter of fact, Diwali is the symbol of the victory of the forces of good over evil. On the day of Diwali there are hectic activities all over the country. People call and invite their nearest and dearest ones. On this festival, sweets are made and distributed among friends and relatives. People indulge in fun and frolic on the day of Diwali. New clothes are worn by the young and the old, high and low. Children and teenagers are dressed in their most glittering and dazzing dresses. At the same time, during night, fire-works and crackers are also let off. The bright flames of the fire-works present and exquisite sight in the dark light. The festival wears a lovely look. Everyone is well glad, gay and mirthful. Some celebrate in the most enthusiastic way. Some indulge in gambling. Gambling according to gamblers, forms a part of Diwali festival and whosoever does not gamble, becomes a doney in his next life. At night the people illumine their houses, walls and... read more